Cheap Browning BLR... should I?

As a Browning 81 BLR owner I say definitely buy this gun if it is mechanically sound and in top condition overall as has been stated. My favourite rifle is my BLR 81 lever gun. If you do not like the gun once you have purchased it, I will buy it from you at that price. That's my BLR 'guarantee'. The end.
 
Hessian said:
To sum it up I'm fairley new to firearms but since eating moose and elk a few years ago for the first time I've been looking to get into hunting for some time. So I told a friend (an avid hunter trapper)to keep an eye out for any hunting rifles he may find for sale. Yesterday he told me he came across a .308 Browning Model 81 (also called a BLR from what I've heard) with a 3-9x40 simmons scope for $350. Says its in good shape clean, no rust, still has blueing, just a ding on the butt and some minor scratches. Its been sitting in a safe for the last 17 years, before that it only saw acouple years of use.
I trust my friends judgment, he says its a good deal so I'm pretty convinced. He just doesn't know much about it. So thought I'd ask here and see what people have to say about this rifle based on first hand experience.

EDIT: Well I bought it. I found out the former owner passed away 17 years ago and his wife is moving soon which explains the time in storage and price. My friend who looked at it said the magazine was fully loaded the entire time so I imagine that will need fixing, hopefully its not too big a deal. Now I just need to find a weekend to go pick it up due to the 6hr drive; never been to the Okanagan. Should be a fun little road trip! Thanks for the feedback everyone
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That almost exactly 1/2 price for a good used, scoped BLR 81' in .308. Good for you for jumping on it! I hope you really enjoy it. :)

Just to clarify, The BLR was the original version of this rifle, then in 1981 the design was modified. One of the changes evident on this newer version, is the magazine sitting close to flush with the receivier. The earlier ones hung down a bit. They are both great rifles, at least the few I've owned of both types have been. :) So, the older version is a BLR, sometimes referred to as the "hang down mag" model, and the later one is the BLR 81'.
 
I'd say buy it. At that price it's a steal. And if you don't like it sell it and get what you something else. It's a money maker at that price. You can't lose.
 
Thanks for that info, I was wondering why there were 2 names. But after trying to learn about cartridge classifications for the last few months I found it best not to ask questions. Cheers
 
I was posting a very long saga and loast it so I'll cut it short.:)

BLR81 , scoped and in .308"Does it all" Winchester, is a steal! :dancingbanana:


Owned the same Rifle for 25 seasons. No issues no hiccups.

Tack Driver ? No! Reliable Deer dispatcher? Yes!

Still hunting, ground blind, 2 ft to 200yds, wearing a low power WA scope and hammer extension, a "Match Made in Heaven."

750 rounds down that slim barrel and accuracy same as when new. When at the range shoot them fire your 3 shot groups with lots of time between.

I would say the Classic from the children of Nippon, is without a doubt the slickest, fastest handling, powerful carbine ever made for the Deer woods. And I love Winchester 88 carbines in .308, but I give the edge to the BLR81.

Enjoy your Rifle and practise often to overcome recoil flinch and mastering that straight stock/ heavy trigger, in case you may have to reach out some Cold November morning on a distant Monster.;)
 
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